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The Pros and Cons of Electric Cars

September 8, 2017

Over the past several years, electric cars have made massive technological strides. As a result, the number of electric cars on the road has steadily increased. In 2016 alone, the number of electric cars shot up by 38%.

Many see electric cars as a viable and sustainable alternative to gas powered vehicles. Others are still not convinced about the current technology due to sticker shock.

Keep reading for a comprehensive pros and cons list for electric cars.

Pros of Electric Cars

**Quiet & Quick: The vast majority of electric cars are extremely quiet and smooth. The internal combustion engine that is present in conventional vehicles is usually loud and results in a worse ride quality. Some legislators in the United States have even asked for noise-making devices in electric cars so pedestrians would be able to hear them approaching since they are so quiet. One of the reasons electric cars are so quick and seem to drive extremely well is the high torque in most electric vehicles makes acceleration seamless and smooth. **

Easy to Re-Fuel & Recharge: With a conventional vehicle, one is at the mercy of gasoline prices, which can fluctuate wildly based on global events. With an electric car, you never have to go to another gas station again. Instead, you can power up right from the comfort of your home through your own charging inlet. The number of charging stations across the United States is growing each year, making it even easier to recharge. The Obama Administration also earmarked up to 4.5 billion dollars in loans in order to foster the development of charging facilities for electric cars. It is estimated that Americans pay about 15 cents per mile driving conventional vehicles, and most electric cars run at about a third of that cost.

No Emissions: Since electric cars lack an exhaust system, they have no emissions. The pollution from conventional gas-powered vehicles has immense negative ramifications on the environment. It is estimated the average gasoline car emits about 350 grams of CO2 each mile.

Simple Maintenance: Electric cars are free from the usual maintenance requirements that take a toll on gas-powered vehicles. According to a paper by Idaho National Laboratory, the electric motor, controller, and the charger in an electric car all have little to no moving parts and overall require little or no maintenance. The longevity of electric car parts save money in the long run and spares drivers from having to troubleshoot problems. In addition, the brakes in an electric car usually last a lot longer than those on a conventional vehicle.

**Potential for Tax Credits: Each new electric car bought in the USA is eligible for IRS tax credits that could amount from $2,500 to $7,500. In addition, many governments across the globe also give some sort of financial incentive towards buying an electric car. **

Electric Cars Are Usually Very Safe: It is almost impossible for an electric car to explode on impact after a crash or other accident, and the heavy electric battery also safeguards against rollovers. Electric cars are subject to the same safety and regulatory standards as gas-powered vehicles. Many manufacturers take time to develop and implement high-tech safety features in their electric vehicles.

Cons of Electric Cars

**Limited Range: Even though it can be very cheap to charge an electric car, many of the vehicles have a somewhat limited range. A good chunk of electric vehicles is only able to travel 60 to 100 miles on a single charge, which can be very inconvenient for most drivers, especially if they are commuting. Some newer electric car models can travel hundreds of miles on a charge. However, they might still have to plan out their routes to ensure they are within the car’s range. **

**Long Recharge Times: In just a few minutes at the gas station, you can fill up your tank and be completely ready to drive for hundreds of miles. In contrast, some electric cars can take up to 20 hours to recharge. **If you have to install a charging station at your house, there is always the potential that your electricity bills could drastically increase. If you do not live in an area where the use of electric cars is common, it can be very difficult to find a public recharge station to use.

**Expensive Initial Cost: Electric cars usually come with a high sticker price, to the tune of $30,000-$40,000 for an affordable model. Up front, this is already more expensive than a vast amount of gas-powered cars. Even though the technology surrounding electric vehicles is rapidly changing, it could be a while before the cars become truly affordable. Eventually, the prices will begin to stabilize and become competitive with conventional vehicles. In addition, the cost of replacing a battery could easily reach into the thousands of dollars alone. **

**Lack of Consumer Choices: With an almost endless list of options, customizing a gas-powered car to your needs has never been easier. In contrast, the number of electric vehicles on the market is somewhat limited, and the options at the moment largely oscillate between compact electric cars and more midsized hybrid sedans. Until automakers set and make good on their promises to produce different electric car models, the options for consumers could be somewhat limited. **

Electric Cars Can Still Pollute Indirectly: The batter in an electric car is filled with toxic chemicals which could still emit fumes. In addition, most of the electricity used to power electric cars still come from non-renewable resources like coal or natural gas.

Overall, there are many different pros and cons of electric cars. The perceived benefits and drawbacks of an electric car will depend on the circumstances and the situation of a driver.